Lyme Disease and Vector-Borne Pathogen Studies

Dr. Howard Ginsberg is studying the transmission of Lyme disease spirochetes in nature using ecological studies of ticks and their vertebrate hosts, and models of spirochete transmission dynamics. Environmental factors that influence tick populations apparently operate on a regional scale. Distribution of vertebrate hosts plays a role in tick distribution, but local factors that determine habitat distribution vary from year to year. Recent studies suggest that the conventional wisdom that white-footed mice serve as the reservoir of Lyme disease spirochetes in the northeast is too simplistic because other common mammals (e.g., meadow voles) and some birds (e.g. robins and song sparrows) are also competent reservoirs.

Dr. Ginsberg is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control to study the distribution of zoonotic pathogens in the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, an aggressive species that is expanding its range into the northeastern states.

Background information on Lyme Disease

Among all vectors, ticks have the distinction of transmitting the widest diversity of microbes that are harmful to humans. Ticks can harbor and transmit a wide diversity of pathogens simultaneously. Viruses, bacteria, and protozoan parasites are all transmitted by ticks. Most health problems in humans result from pathogens being transmitted to humans from ticks during blood meals. The most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the USA is Lyme disease, which is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterial spirochete.

A vector is an insect (e.g., mosquito, sand fly) or other arthropod (e.g., ticks, mites) that actively transmits a pathogen from an infected reservoir host animal to another individual.

Lyme disease in its early stage is characterized by a flu-like illness lasting for several days to weeks. Lyme disease is easily treatable in the early stages. If left untreated, Lyme disease may affect the joints, heart, and central nervous system. Not all ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Only certain species are competent vectors and not all ticks of those species are infected. Not every person who is bitten will get Lyme disease.